Former state Rep. Caleb Jones has left his post in Gov. Eric Greitens' administration to become the vice president of the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives.
First elected in 2010, Jones served three terms in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2011-17, representing parts of Boone, Cooper and Moniteau counties in the 40th District. In January, Jones stepped down from the House when the governor tapped him to become his deputy chief of staff.
During Jones' tenure in the House, he supported bills helping electric cooperatives including a bill that increased grid reliability and one opposing a tax increase on electricity for electric co-op members. In Greitens' administration, Jones coordinated with the Federal Communications Commission to bring broadband internet services to underserved parts of rural Missouri.
"I'm very grateful for Caleb's contributions to our team, and his commitment to the people of Missouri," Greitens said in a news release. "We're sorry to see him go, but confident that he will be successful and continue to serve Missouri families well."
Barry Hart, chief executive officer of the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, said in a news release the association knows Jones well from his time in the House.
"During Caleb's time in the Missouri House, he was not only a member of the leadership but also a champion for the issues that affected rural people and their electric cooperatives," Hart said. "Whenever our voice needed to be heard, we always went to Caleb because he understood the issues and never forgot his own rural roots."
A graduate of California High School, Jones grew up on a farm in Moniteau County. He has a degree in agricultural economics from the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and a doctorate from the MU School of Law.
He replaces David Klindt, who retired as Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives vice president.
Based in Jefferson City, the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives generates electricity for and represents electric cooperatives and their members in Missouri and parts of Iowa and Oklahoma.
"I'm pleased to be joining such a great team," Jones said. "The electric cooperatives have a great reputation for trustworthiness and they work hard to raise the quality of life for rural people. I look forward to using my skills for the benefit of electric cooperative members statewide."
In August, Republican Sara Walsh beat Democrat Michela Skelton in a special election to fill Jones' vacant House seat.